First section of Munda Biddi Trail opened

6/12/03
Western Australia will soon be home to one of the world's greatest long distance off-road cycle trails with today's opening of the first section of the Munda Biddi Trail.
Environment Minister Judy Edwards today opened the Mundaring to Dwellingup stage, the first section of the planned 900km cycle trail.
Dr Edwards said the trail was an excellent example of combining nature-based tourism and recreation with conservation.
"The Munda Biddi Trail is the result of a huge combined effort between Government, the private sector and the community," she said.
"Since the project launch in December 2001, the Department of Conservation and Land Management in partnership with the Munda Biddi Trail Foundation have worked tirelessly to see this first section of the trail completed.
"Meaning 'path through the forest' in the Nyoongar language, the Munda Biddi - once completed - will traverse Perth's hills through majestic eucalypt forests, river valleys and along old rail corridors all the way to the seaside town of Albany."
Dr Edwards said the gentle grades, vast areas of majestic eucalypt forests, rolling hills, and year-round cycling weather made WA the ideal setting for a long distance off-road cycle trail.
"There are very few places in the world where you can safely cycle uninterrupted through forest and along historic rail-trails, while visiting towns and the surrounding regional attractions," she said.
"The trail's popularity during the past 12 months has exceeded all expectations, with more than 5,000 maps sold and an estimated 4,000 people experiencing the trail so far, including cycling visitors from New Zealand, the UK, Germany, Ireland and the USA.

"Since December last year the Munda Biddi Trail Foundation website has received over 11,000 hits, with Germany being one of the main sources.
"It is forecasted that within the first five years of the trail being completed to Albany, 42,000 people will have experienced the trail."
The next section from Dwellingup to Collie is expected to open by winter 2004.
The trail is being built under a partnership between CALM and a number of other State Government departments, local governments, business, industry and the community.
Major funding partners include Alcoa Australia, Lotterywest and the Peel and South West Development Commissions.
"One of the most valuable contributions to date has been the Department of Justice with the Karnet Prison field-based crew providing more than $200,000 of in-kind support," Dr Edwards said.
"Many other agencies have been instrumental in the planning of the trail and provided construction support - these include Alcoa Australia, Water Corporation, Forest Products Commission and the Department of Defence.
"None of this would have been possible without the continued drive and support from the Munda Biddi Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation that has assisted CALM with planning, funding and marketing the trail since the trails inception."

The Minister said the Munda Biddi was truly a community project that all Government agencies, the private sector and community groups and individuals involved, should be proud of.
For further information on the trail go to http://www.mundabiddi.org.au
Minister's office: 9220 5050